After Grand Slams, Amazon now eyes Laver Cup rights

The world’s biggest online e-commerce giant is on the continuous look-out to add sporting rights to its portfolio. After pocketing ATP & US Open rights for UK market, now Amazon is eyeing Laver Cup rights.

The world’s most valuable company Amazon is close to agreeing on a rights deal for the Laver Cup tennis tournament, according to the Australian Financial Review newspaper.

The AFR, citing sources familiar with the matter, said that Amazon is set to sign a two-year deal for the event, which debuted last year. Amazon would hold global rights to the tournament.

The inaugural Laver Cup was held in the Czech capital of Prague last September, with Team Europe, featuring Swiss star Roger Federer and Spain’s Rafael Nadal, claiming a 15-9 victory over a Team World side. Chicago’s United Center will host the 2018 event from September 21-23.

The AFR said that, as well as offering live coverage of matches, Amazon would provide behind-the-scenes content, mini-series and viral content.

The Laver Cup would represent the latest addition to Amazon’s portfolio of tennis rights. Last month, it confirmed an exclusive five-year rights deal in the UK for the US Open grand slam tournament. The deal covers the 2018 to 2022 editions of the event. From 2019, Amazon will also broadcast the ATP World Tour in the UK as part of a five-year deal that will run until 2023.

Amazon last year entered into a partnership with ATP Media, the broadcast arm of professional men’s circuit the ATP World Tour, through which it is streaming the Next Gen Finals through to the end of 2018.

The internet giant had last month agreed on a 5-year broadcast rights deal with United States Tennis Association (USTA) for exclusive rights to the US Open Grand Slam in the UK and Ireland. The deal was reportedly signed for $40 Million. Earlier in November, it had struck a deal for the men’s ATP World Tour from 2019 to 2023.

In May last year, Amazon also finalised a deal to offer Eurosport channels via Prime Video in the UK. Given that Eurosport holds rights in the UK to the Australian Open, the French Open and non-exclusive rights to Wimbledon, Amazon will now be able to offer all four of tennis’ Grand Slams including other coveted titles.

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